Are you using eggcorns? 15 common phrases you might be saying incorrectly

15 Phrases You're Saying Wrong · 9:33 · Video: Mental Floss · Watch at the source

In short: Many of us use colorful idioms daily without realizing we have misspoken. This video explores common linguistic errors known as eggcorns—phrases that sound plausible but are technically incorrect—to help you refine your everyday speech.

An eggcorn is a misheard or misspoken phrase that retains a logical meaning despite being wrong. For example, people often mistakenly say 'for all intensive purposes' instead of the correct 'for all intents and purposes'.

Other common slips include confusing 'coming down the pike' with 'coming down the pipe', or using 'tenderhooks' when the idiom is actually 'on tenterhooks'. These examples highlight how easily language evolves through common usage, even when the original phrasing is lost.

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